THE Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has launched a scheme with North Wales Freemasons to provide cuddly teddy bears to children under seven attending A&E.

Staff are able to offer young patients a small teddy bear to help alleviate their distress, and teddy receives the same treatments as the child. The teddies then go home with the patients, who are encouraged to bring them with them to outpatient visits.

The Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) scheme is funded by the Freemasons of North Wales and was initially launched in March at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor by the Provincial Grand Master, Ieuan Redvers Jones.

The initiative’s now been extended to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

Ieuan Redvers Jones said: “I hope that the level of public awareness of the contribution made to the community by Freemasonry will be increased through this scheme.”